Hong Kong Customs Seizes 25kg Ketamine and 13kg Cannabis, Arrests Three Passengers at Airport

Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport

Hong Kong Customs today (September 8) detected three drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 25 kilograms of suspected ketamine and about 13kg of suspected cannabis buds, with a total estimated market value of about 13 million. Three persons were arrested.

The first case involved a Mainland male passenger, aged 48, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, last night (September 7). During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3kg of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market value of about $700,000 in his carry-on suitcase. The man was arrested in the early hours today.

In the second case, a 23-year-old Taiwan male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Barcelona, Spain, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 25kg of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value of about $10 million inside his checked-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

In the third case, a 37-year-old Mainland female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, via Manila, the Philippines, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 10kg of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market value of about $2.3 million inside her checked-in suitcase. The woman was subsequently arrested.

The arrested men in the first two cases have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The arrested woman in the third case will be charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The three cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (September 9).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will also continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs raids suspected illicit cigarette storage centre in Kwai Chung

Hong Kong Customs shut down a suspected illicit cigarette storage centre in Kwai Chung today (September 8). A total of about 2.41 million suspected illicit cigarettes were seized. The total estimated market value was about $10.85 million, while the duty potential was about $7.98 million. Three men involved in the case were arrested.

Customs officers searched a suspicious unit in an industrial building in Kwai Chung and found the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes today. Three men aged between 32 and 36 and suspected to be connected with the case were arrested at the scene. They claimed to be a transportation worker, a driver and a courier respectively.

The case is still under investigation. The arrested men have been released on bail pending further investigation. Customs will continue to trace the source of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source, as well as through its multipronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities.

Customs stresses that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public are urged to report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs raids suspected illicit cigarette storage centre in Kwai Chung Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases